Libraries, digital & civic life
Consistent priorityLibraries, internet and device access, lending programs, civic education and neighbor-connecting community efforts.
Residents ask for free internet, digital skills training, borrowable items and stronger library access, along with places and programs that connect neighbors and teach civics.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
180 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 58 | 4.8% | 10 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 54 | 4.5% | 9 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 68 | 5.1% | 8 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Free public Wi-Fi and internet access
Residents repeatedly ask for free Wi-Fi in community centers, parks, transit areas and underserved neighborhoods so people who can't afford data or home internet can learn, work and get services.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Lending libraries for tools and everyday items
Residents want free borrowing of costly, rarely used items such as tools, equipment and tech, through the library or neighborhood lending sites.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Digital literacy and computer training
Residents ask for free computer and smartphone classes, with seniors, low-income residents and non-English speakers named often, and for access to devices.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More library access, funding and reach
Residents ask for more library funding, longer or Sunday hours, more branch programming, and mobile or pop-up library services for areas far from a branch.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Civic education and neighbor-connecting spaces
Residents want civics lessons for kids and adults, and low-cost places and events where neighbors and community groups can meet and learn from one another.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Internet access in community centers and citywide, tool and item lending, and library-based programming and classes stood out, along with requests for apps and offices that point residents to services.
2025–26
Sunday library hours, pilot Wi-Fi stations, computer classes for Chinatown seniors, and financial-education workshops in libraries and community centers were prominent, along with many ideas for shared community space.
2026–27
Repeated requests for senior tech training, tool lending, mobile library and bookmobile ideas, free Wi-Fi in underserved areas, and more funding for community nonprofits stood out in the largest set of ideas.
New in 2026–27
Growing or new asks include borrowable Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops and outdoor gear in lockboxes, library recording booths and seed libraries, makerspaces, city-run AI tools, and more grant funding for community nonprofits.
Funding so far
No winning projects funded by resident vote relate to this theme, so every recurring ask (free Wi-Fi, digital training, lending libraries, library access and hours, civic education and community space) remains unaddressed through voting.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
No winning project has addressed this theme yet.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Public Library
- Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Libraries, digital & civic life
5 ideas
2024–25: 0 · 2025–26: 4 · 2026–27: 1 (of 180 in this theme)
- Snack and story time at public librariesResident asks for library story time where attendees can take home a bag of food, so everyone has a space to read and reading support.2026–27ChinatownSubmitted in Spanish
- Computer program and computers for seniorsResident asks for a computer program for seniors to learn new skills and build social connections, with computers given to learners as an incentive.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Computer classes and free computers for seniorsResident asks for computer classes for seniors to learn new skills, with computers provided to learners as encouragement.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Chinese-language computer classes for seniorsResident asks for Chinese-language computer classes for older adults so they can learn new skills and manage better in the community.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- More Chinese books at Chinatown libraryResident asks for more culturally relevant books, such as Chinese-language titles, at the Chinatown library to strengthen cultural cohesion.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese